Emissions of toxic gases and particulates from photovoltaic module R&D and manufacturing facilities may need treatment to meet current or anticipated regulations. In this study currently available pollution‐control options (e.g. filters, scrubbers, adsorption columns, combustion devices) are reviewed for their suitability to treat emissions (e.g. HCl, HF, Cl2, H2Se, SiH2, SiH2Cl2, AsH3, PH3, Cd and As compounds) from photovoltaic cell laboratories and production facilities. For small emission flow rates (e.g. > 100 l min−−1) and small to moderate particulate loads (e.g. <2 mg l−−1), on‐line filters can economically collect fumes and other particulates generated in the deposition chambers, whereas adsorption columns can very effectively treat toxic hydrates (e.g. AsH3, PH3, H2Se) at concentrations up to 1% (up to 10% for very small flow rates, e.g. <11 min−−1). For large emission flow rates, (e.g. > 100 1 min−−1), very low concentrations of hydrates can still be treated effectively with adsorption. Combined control of particulates and hydrates can be achieved by a bag‐house followed by a multistage scrubber; when the concentration of hydrates is relatively high, a thermal oxidation unit should precede the bag‐house scrubber for effective control. Finally, multicomponent mixtures can be treated either by wet scrubbing or combustion, depending on the mixture composition.